Hana ML and Korf head shell

You should be fine with the Hana ML but you may be between weights (leaning to the heavier) so hopefully you have both to try.  Hana ML is 9.5g and the headshell is 13g.

Applicable cartridge/headshell weight: 14.5 to 20.5g (standard weight), 20.5 to 35.0g (W-30H weight)

Any headshell with slots will work (if you can balance the arm), you need slots if you want to change the geometry of the tonearm to a common Stevenson or Baerwald. SAEC geometry is different, to change the geometry you will have to move and twist your cartridge in the headshell slots.

Can’t remember the dynamic compliance of Hana, but for SAEC it should be fine.

Chack - OP may need help w saec parts

Thanks @tomic601

Thanks @chakster the dynamic compliance is listed at: 10 x 10(-6) cm/dyne (100Hz). The Korf choose is mainly because it looks to be well damped, so I am hoping that the sibilance can be tamed.

@three_easy_payments: Does that mean I would need that W-30H counter weight on the tail end? Or that I “might”

And should this be an improvement over the “Blue point Special”?

I particularly do not like a lot of sibilance, but often the recordings where the sibilance seems to built into, from the start..

Or should I be looking at the Hana SL, or something else that could be a more appropriate choice?

I have an Audio Research PH2 that it will run into… does that seem like the right piece to be using? Or should I be putting attention there? I have no complaints with it, nor with the blue point special… just that the BPS is 15 years old and I am also overhauling the SOTA.

You can make custom sub weight or ring weight if you don’t have the original. Check custom ring weight for SAEC (and other tonearms) on this instagram page.


Headshell will not help you to get rid of the sibilance, but a new stylus profile and proper alignment can help (if it’s not pressing or recording itself).

I currently have a Blue Point Special which is ~15 years old.

If it was in use regularly for 15 years then it’s worn out long time ago